This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every persons position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the FAQ and RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate and remove the ads - it's free!

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

Originally Posted by Kobie

It's illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in most NFL cities for most jobs; however, I don't think it will apply to his draft status. There's other criteria upon which it is illegal to discriminate against for employment in those cities and (in most cases) states, but the NFL plays by different rules. If it didn't, a paraplegic could conceivably sue for discrimination under the ADA.

It's obviously not that simple. The NFL (and the teams) work under the same rules with the same conditions and exceptions (including the unofficial ones of power and money). A blind man couldn't sue if they were refused a job as a truck driver for the same reasons a paraplegic couldn't sue for being refused a job as a NFL player. This kind of law will require employers to make reasonable concessions but there obvious practical limitations.

None of that applies to homosexuality in itself and so that wouldn't be a valid criteria to discriminate on, for the NFL or any other employer. Of course the difficult element is proving discrimination if it occurs and that is all the more difficult in things like sports teams, where "employment" decisions can be legitimately based on so many non-specific factors and personal opinions.

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

Originally Posted by HonestJoe

It's obviously not that simple. The NFL (and the teams) work under the same rules with the same conditions and exceptions (including the unofficial ones of power and money). A blind man couldn't sue if they were refused a job as a truck driver for the same reasons a paraplegic couldn't sue for being refused a job as a NFL player. This kind of law will require employers to make reasonable concessions but there obvious practical limitations.

None of that applies to homosexuality in itself and so that wouldn't be a valid criteria to discriminate on, for the NFL or any other employer. Of course the difficult element is proving discrimination if it occurs and that is all the more difficult in things like sports teams, where "employment" decisions can be legitimately based on so many non-specific factors and personal opinions.

Well yeah. I have a pretty good knowledge of the NFL's work rules and was just trying to simplify the discussion, but yes, you are correct.

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

Originally Posted by Eric7216

I know that I am being ridiculous here.

Too true . A player simply being gay doesn't come close to any kind of sexual harassment. If anything, another player objecting to the simple presence of the gay player would be closer. Sexual harassment requires some kind of specific acts to apply.

Originally Posted by Eric7216

But why is it anyone's concern what a person's sex life is and why is that allowable in a workplace to state one's sexual proclivities.

It shouldn't be anyone's concern but it clearly is. Anyone known to be or suspected of being homosexual will be treated differently (usually worse) in environments such as the NFL.

As for stating it, directly you might have a point but the fact is sexuality isn't hidden unless you're forced to do so (which nobody should). You chat with colleagues, talk about what you did at the weekend ("Went to dinner with my wife"), which actors or singers you like ("Madonna used to be hot but she really let herself go." or have simple crossover with your life ("I need a weeks leave for my wedding."). Without actively working to hide it, your sexuality is likely to become apparent over time. Add in the media attention of NFL players and there would be no way to live an free and normal life without your sexuality becoming apparent.

As long as "football player is gay" is considered newsworthy, I think it's perfectly valid for a gay player (or potential player) to state their sexuality and get the "news" out of the way and focus on their job.

Anyway, given your attitude on the sexual harassment element, don't you think it would be preferable for homosexual players to be known rather than hidden and secretive? Unless, of course, you think they should just be banned from playing professional sports at all.

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

His Mizzou teammates didn't have a problem, so I hope that his NFL teammates won't either. That is, if coming out doesn't damage his draft chances. Surely, owners are going to be sensitive and politically correct about this. And maybe everybody can get back to football.

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

Originally Posted by nota bene

His Mizzou teammates didn't have a problem, so I hope that his NFL teammates won't either. That is, if coming out doesn't damage his draft chances. Surely, owners are going to be sensitive and politically correct about this. And maybe everybody can get back to football.

The tweets from current NFL players have been nothing but supportive. I think the fact that no active NFL player has come out has less to do with their teammates and more to do with fear of coaches or management feeling that it would be a distraction, and reacting accordingly.

He'll be known as "the gay guy" for a few weeks, but hopefully eventually he'll just be another player. But I applaud his guts for coming out before he even has a pro contract, and I wish him nothing but the best. And seeing the highlights of him, I'd take him on the Bills, even though Buffalo is loaded at D-line.

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

How do they deal with sexual harrasment and attraction now? We seperate mens and womens bathrooms because of the possibility of attraction and harrasment, and privacy. Will gay players need seperate facilities (even from each other) because of the possibility of harrasment?

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

Originally Posted by iacardsfan

This should not be considered news. I am all for gay rights. I have nothing in any way against this young man being true about himself. But it shouldn't matter. The media has no business here. Yes, he is gay. Yes, he might be the first active gay NFL player if drafted. But that does not make him any different. We need to stop polarizing this argument by making it so in your face.

Thankfully, there will come a time where it will be ho-hum not newsworthy.

“No men are anywhere, and I’m allowed to go in, because I’m the owner of the pageant and therefore I’m inspecting it,” Trump said... “‘Is everyone OK’? You know, they’re standing there with no clothes. ‘Is everybody OK?’ And you see these incredible looking women, and so I sort of get away with things like that.”

Re: All-American college football player Michael Sam says he is gay

Actually there have been players saying things like they don't want to be checked out by a gay man in the showers.

The issue of his sexuality was not something he was going to share but something a journalist was going to reveal. That said he wanted to get ahead of the story with the combine a week away. He is a solid 3rd-5th round guy because of his size, but being a 1st All-American and a defensive player of the year it will be something if he doesn't wind up in a camp regardless of sexuality but people will pass on him if there is a player of equal potential on the board because of the media circus it will likely cause. Some owner, and I am guessing it will be someone like Jim Irsay or Robert Kraft, will give him a shot.

Now if it disrupts the locker room then he will be gone. That is a fact, because unless you can play great at that level, then it won't be worth it. If a player with Andrew Luck skills were gay, they would still be a 1st rounder.